Punchboard



Patented June 22, 1943 UNITED STATES TENT @EPIC 4 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in punch boards such as are provided by the trade for stores, restaurants, and similar establishments for awarding prizes indicated by pellets punched out of a perforated panel. 4

The invention is designed with the particular objects in view of providing a simply constructed, inexpensive punch board which can be displayed anywhere, is adapted to award a variety of different kinds of prizes and for quickly rendering visible to players at each punch an indication of Whether or not they are entitled to a prize, and which, furthermore, may be easily reloaded, or refilled, any number of times and to vary the prize awards at each reloading or relling.

Other and subordinate objects are also comprehended by my invention, all of which, together with the precise nature of my improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with reference to the drawings accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is a view in iront elevation of my improved punch board in its preferred embodiment,

Figure 2 is a View in rear elevation.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary view in rear elevation illustrating the paper backing on the pellet holder and the clips for retaining the backing in place,

n Figure 4 is a view in verticallongitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 is a view in vertical section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view in transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 4 and drawn to an enlarged scale, and

Figure '7 is a view in vertical section taken on the line I-l of Figure 5.

Referring to the drawings by numerals, my improved punch board, in the illustrated embodimeut thereof, comprises as its basic elements an elongated rectangular frame I of nat side and end construction and which is adapted to be stood on end on a counter or any other similar support. Imposed against the front of the frame I is a front frame 2 of molding strips suitably secured to the frame I and extending inwardly thereof to form an internal front flange 3 extending around said frame I. An internal crossbar 4 extends across the bottom of the frame I and which is spaced rearwardlyV from the ange 3 and suitably secured to the bottom of the frame and sides thereof. The purpose of the flange 3 and bar 4 will presently appear.

Fitted in the frame I directly behind the flange 3 and conned in' said frame by said iiange against forward movement is a rectangular punch panel 5 provided adjacent its upper edge with a rectangular elongated sight opening 6 extending lengthwise across said panel, and also provided adjacent its bottom with a relatively narrower elongated sight opening I inclined from the horizontal for a purpose presently seen. Intermediate the sight openings 6 and 'I the punch panel 5 is provided therein with a eld of punch apertures B arranged in horizontal and vertical rows, as is usual. Intermediate the field of punch apertures 8 and the sight opening 6 is a smaller eld of similarly arranged special punch apertures 9.

Behind the punch panel 8 and secured thereto by means presently described is a rectangular two part pellet holder I0 of substantially the same width as said panel 5 and of a height suicient to cover the elds 8 and 9 of the punch apertures with a slight overlap at the top and bottom of said pellet holder I0. The pellet holder comprises a pair of opposed front and rear sections Ilia, IIlb perforated to provide complemental pellet containing apertures II, IIa therein also complemental to and aligned with the punch apertures 8 and 9. Interposed between the punch panel 5 and the front section Illa of the pellet holder I0 is a sheet of paper I2, or the like, and similarly interposed between the sections lila, IIlb of the pellet holder I0 is a similar backing sheet I3. A pair of rearwardly extending side studs I4 on the punch panel 5 suitably extending through the sides of the sections Ia, Ib of the pellet holder I0 provide for aligning the pellet containing apertures II, IIa with the punch apertures 8 and 9.

Pairs of resilient, detachable clips I5 spanning the side edges of the punch panel 5, and of the sections Illa, IDb of the pellet holder III, and also of the sheets I2 and I3 detachably secure the specied parts together. The pellet holder I!) is designed to contain in theV apertures I I thereof loosely tting balls I6 retained therein by the sheets I2, I3 to be pushed through the sheet I3 out of the apertures II'. 'Ihe clips I5 are seated in recesses I5 provided in the side edges of the punch panel 5, and the section Illa, Ib of the pellet holder Ill, and also in the sheets I2 and I3 so that said clips are out of interfering relation with the sides of the frame I.

Fitted in the back of the frame I between the top thereof and the bar 4 is a back panel I1 spaced rearwardly of the pellet holder I0 and the punch panel 5.

Extending across the bottom of the back panel I1 on the front side thereof is a block I8 projecting below the bottom of the back panel I1 to engage the front side of the bar 4 for coaction with said bar to prevent said panel I1 from being displaced rearwardly at its bottom. A suitable lock I9 is provided at the top of the back panel I1 for engagement with a keeper slot 20 in the top of the frame I to lock the back panel I1 in place.

The block I8 is provided with an upper edge Ia inclining downwardly toward one side of the frame I. A smaller block 26 is suitably secured to the back panel I1 at the other side of the frame I and on the higher end of edge I8a of block I8. A strip Ib on the block I8 molines along the edge |80. of block I 8 parallel therewith and spaced therefrom with its higher end spaced from block 26. A runway forming strip on said back panel I1 above the strip Ib inclines, from the side of the frame I opposite to that at which block Ib is located, downwardly toward said block with its lower end spaced therefrom. The top edges of the strip 25 and block 26 form oppositely inclined runways leading to a drop slot 2I formed by the space between the lower and higher ends of the strips 25, I8c and said block 25 which opens into a groove 22 formed by the space between the edge I8a of block I8 and the strip |811', said groove inclining downwardly from said drop 2I to4 a discharge slot 23 formed vertically in the block I8 and communicating with a discharge space 24 in the bottom of frame I beneath the block I8. The groove 22 is located directly behind the sight opening I and inclined in correspondence therewith. As will be understood the described runways on top of strip 25 and block 26 are located below the pellet holder I0 and ll the space between the back panel I8 and the punch panel 5.

An elongated upright gate forming strip, or member, 21 is pivoted, as at 28, to the rear face of the back panel I1 for rocking movement in opposite directions, into and from closing relation to the lower end of the groove 22. A suitable resilient band 29 secured to the bottom of the strip 25, as at 30, and to the upper end of the strip 21, as at 3I, tensions said strip against rocking from' closing relation to the groove 22. The back panel I1 has formed therein alongside the strip 21 a keyhole 32 for a suitable key 32' to 'JI be turned against the strip 21 above the pivot 2B to rock said strip out of closing relation to the groove 22. A stop strip 33 is provided on the front face of the panel I1 alongside the keyhole 32 to prevent turning of the key 32' in the wrong direction.

Extending across the upper end of the back panel I1 on the front face thereof is a block member 34 adapted to clamp a glass pane1 35 against the rear face of the punch panel 5 in covering relation to the sight opening 6. The block member 34 has depending end stop lugs 35' thereon adapted to bear against the rear face of the pellet holder ID. The front face of the block member 34 is designed to be utilized as an instruction or advertising panel, the instructions, or advertising matter provided thereon being visible through the sight opening 6 and glass panel 35. A glass panel 35, with a backing frame 31, are provided on the front face of the block I8 to cover the slots'ZI, 23 and groove 22, andi which extend behind the sight opening 1.

An easel leg 38 is attached to the back panel I1 by screws 39 in inclined position to support the fra-me I.

The operation of the described punch board will be readily understood. The player or operator uses the usual punch key, not shown, in selected punch apertures 8, or 9, to perforate the sheet of paper I2, dislodge the related ball oi' balls I6 from the pellet holder I0 and force the same through the backing sheet I3. The dislodged balls I6 drop onto the described runways formed by strip 25 and block 26, as the case may be, to roll down the same into the slot 2| and from thence into the groove 22 where the dislodged balls are visible through the sight opening 1 and glass panel 36 so that the operator or player may View the same. The balls I6 may be diierently colored to indicate that the player or operator is entitled to different awards or prizes. The field of punch apertures 9 and balls I6 associated therewith are for special prizes or awards and the balls I6 in this field may be specially distinguished to denote such special awards. The balls I6 in the field of punch apertures 8 may be distinguished as regards certain of the same to indicate the privilege of punching in the field of apertures 9. When a player, or operator, has finished, the gate formingstrip may be operated by the key 32 to release the balls I6 from the groove 22 so that they may discharge through the groove 23 into the storage space 24. By removing the back panel I1, in a manner which will be clear, access to the pellet holder I0 may readily be had and the same detached from the pane1 5 for replacement of the sheet I2, backing sheet I3 and relling of the holder with balls I6. Obviously, during the filling the balls may be arranged in any desired manner in the holder II] to vary the prize awards as desired.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation Manifestly, the invention, as described, is sus` ceptible of modication without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the subjoined claims.

What I claim is:

l. A punch board comprising a frame adapted to be stood upright. a front punch panel in said frame having a field of perforations therein for punching therethrough, a pellet holding panel in said frame opposed to the rear of said punch panel and having a field of pcrforations therein complemental to the perforations of the rstmentioned panel and axially aligned therewith said holding panel comprising a pair of opposed sections, a plurality of ball pellets loosely disposed in the perforations of the second-men` tioned eld to be pushed rearwardly out of the pellet holding panel by a punch inserted through the perforations of the nist-mentioned eld, a pair of sheets of puncturable material interposed between said panels and the sections of said holding panel. respectively` opposite said elds for retaining said balls in said holding panel. a runway forming member in said frame below said pellet holding panel for intercepting pellets punched from said panel and inclined downwardly toward one side of the frame for rolling of said pellets thereon toward said side, a back closure plate for said frame having an open front groove therein below said member and inclining transversely of the frame oppositely with respect to said member, a drop between the lower end of said member and the higher end of said groove through which pellets may pass from said member into said groove, means to releasably retain pellets in said groove, and a sight opening in said punch panel for viewing pellets in said groove.

2. A punch board comprising a frame adapted to be stood upright, a front punch panel in said frame having a iield of perforations therein for punching therethrough, a pellet holding panel in said frame opposed to the rear of said punch panel and having a eld of perforations therein complemental to the perforations of the firstmentioned panel and axially aligned therewith said holding panel comprising a pair of opposed sections, a plurality of ball pellets loosely disposed in the perforations of the second-mentioned eld to be pushed rearwardly out of the pellet holding panel by a punch inserted through the perforations of the rst-mentioned field, a pair of sheets of puncturable material interposed between said panels and the sections of said holding panel, respectively, opposite said fields for retaining said balls in said holding panel, a runway forming member in said frame below said pellet holding panel for intercepting pellets punched from said panel and inclined downwardly toward one side of the frame for rolling of said pellets thereon toward said side, a back closure plate for said frame having an open front groove therein below said member and inclining transversely of the frame oppositely with respect to said member, a drop between the lower end of said member and the higher end of said groove through which pellets may pass from said member into said groove, means to releasably retain pellets in said groove, and a sight opening in said punch panel for viewing pellets in said groove, said means comprising a gate at the lower end of the groove Y adapted for opening by a key.

3. A punch board comprising a frame adapted to be stood upright, a front punch panel in s-aid frame having a eld of perforations therein for punching therethrough, a pellet holding panel in said frame opposed to the rear of said punch panel, and having a eld of perforations therein complemental to the perforations of the firstmentioned panel and axially aligned therewith said holding panel comprising a pair of opposed sections, a plurality of ball pellets loosely disposed in the perforations of the second-mentioned iield to be pushed rearwardly outof the pellet holding panel by a punch inserted through the perforations of the first-mentioned eld, a pair of sheets of puncturable material interposed between said panels and the sections of said holding panel, respectively, opposite said fields for retaining said balls in said holding panel, a runway forming member in said frame below said pellet holding panel for intercepting pellets punched from said panel and inclined downwardly toward one side of the frame for rolling of said pellets thereon toward said side, a back closure plate for said frame having an open front groove therein below said member and inclining transversely of the frame oppositely with respect to said member, a drop between the lower end of said member and the higher end of said groove through which pellets may pass from said member into said groove, means to releasably retain pellets in said groove, and a sight opening in said punch panel for viewing pellets in said groove, said pellets being diierently distinguished relatively to identify the same with different prize awards.

4. A punch board comprising a frame adapted to be stood upright, a perforated front punch panel assembly in said frame having ball pellets arranged therein for punching rearwardly out of the same to fall therefrom and by a punch inserted in said perforations, a runway forming member in said frame .below said assembly for intercepting pellets falling from the assembly and inclined downwardly toward one side of the frame for rolling of said pellets thereon toward said side, a plate in said frame having an open iront groove therein below said member and inclining transversely of the frame oppositely with respect to said member, a `drop between the lower end of said member and the higher end of said groove through which the pellets may pass from said member into said groove, and means to releasably retain pellets in said groove.

RALPH HENRY ANDRUS. 

